Armed with a diverse musical background, Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Zack Hexum has always been able to deliver his songs in a fresh and interesting way. It helps, of course, that Hexum has a rich-textured voice that matches the depth of his songwriting abilities.

Influenced by the likes of Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, and Jeff Buckley, Hexum is accomplished on both guitar and saxophone, and has a way with words and with melodies that draw generously from those influences while maintaining his own unique voice.

Hexum’s debut, The Story So Far, was released in 2004 on What Have You Records, the imprint of brother Nick Hexum’s (311) label. The Story So Far was produced by the award-winning knob-twirler Don Gehman (R.E.M., Bruce Hornsby, John Mellencamp, Pat Green). Hexum also did a soft launch of an EP, Realistic Fantasy, in late 2005, currently available at live shows and through his website. In early 2006, “How Many Times,” from Hexum’s full-length release, caught the attention of music execs at Apple, who made it the iTunes Single of the Week.

Still in his mid-20s, Zack Hexum graduated from the University of North Texas in 2000, where he studied jazz and performed with the top student big band on campus, One ‘O Clock Lab. He then moved to New York City to study saxophone with David Liebman (Miles Davis), and lived there for two years before moving to Los Angeles. In addition to performing with Liebman in New York, Hexum has recently played saxophone for Michael Bublé and Dredg.

But while Hexum’s mounting musical exploits have helped to broaden his horizons and industry network, he is first and foremost a gifted singer and songwriter. Having toured with both 311 and Tears for Fears, Hexum is planning an 8-10 week nationwide spring tour in 2006 before heading back into the studio again. He has also put together a residency at Hotel Café in Los Angeles called the “Zack Hexum Couples Skate,” where he pairs himself with another emerging artist every Tuesday.

Never one to tire, Hexum sees himself continuing to make music for several years.
“I've got a lot of different irons in the fire these days,” he says. “But I'm hoping to grow artistically, have a savings account and to become a slightly less obscure household name.”

Those who hear Zack Hexum’s music will agree that those goals are already within reach.